The A-League grand finalists lost 4-0 in Japan last week - their third consecutive defeat in Group E - and have yet to score a goal on the continental stage.

Muscat is set to replace the suspended Leigh Broxham in defence, while Marvin Angulo will also likely come into the starting line-up.

"I think we've got a strong squad and we are playing at home, I think that leaves us with no excuses," said coach Ernie Merrick, who will be without striker Archie Thompson after the striker picked up a knee injury in the grand final defeat to Sydney.

"I would say that the results so far are more to do with the quality of the squad we are putting out and the level of fatigue."

Kengo Nakamura and Juninho remain sidelined due to injury for Kawasaki, while North Korean striker Jong Tae-se is suspended as Tsutomo Takahata's side look to keep their own qualification hopes alive with last week's win representing their first points of the campaign.

"Last week we were at home and that made a big difference," said Takahata.

"We have heard that Melbourne are a very good side on their home ground and we expect a very difficult match."

At Beijing Workers' Stadium, Chinese champions Beijing Guoan will be looking to bounce back from last week's 3-1 away defeat when they host K-League side Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma.

Beijing will be without suspended goalkeeper Yang Zhi, with Zhang Sipeng and Hou Sen vying to start.

"We have learned a lot from the away defeat and I believe we can play better in the coming match," said coach Hong Yuanshuo.

Seongnam, meanwhile, can qualify for the last 16 with a fourth consecutive win.

"Hopefully, we will be able to secure a place in the round of last 16 after this match," said coach Shin Tae-young. "We won't be conservative in the away game. We will focus on attack."